Steroid oxidation



g- 1953 w. J. HAINES ETAL 2,649,401

STEROID OXIDATION Filed Sept. 16. 1950 18 Sheets-Sheet l Poperchrogrom PM 58 Pqperchrogrum PM 58 Example- I. Example I. Toluene-Propylene Glycol I6 hours Methyl cyclohexune-Corbitol l8 hours 'A. 54 Streptomyces frodioe,s1roin A. 77 Bond II-Column Chromato- 3535 fermemuiion of lI-desoxy-l'lgram PM 58. hydroxycorricosterone (8). B. 85y Band 1- Column Chromato- B. 207 Each of l7-h ydroxycor1icos1ergram PM 58. I

one (F), ll-dehydro-l? hydroxycorfi- C. 207 Il-Desoxycorticosferone (Q). cos'rerone (E), II desoxy-I? hydroxycorticosterone (8).

fig. 5

A 'ToRNEY JYONALD R COLINGSWORTH Aug. 18, 1953 W. J. HAINES ETAL STEROID OXIDATION Filed Sept. 16, 1950 Toluene- Propylene Glycol Poperchrogrom PM 58 Example I.

l7 hours 207 each l7-hydroxycorficosterone (F), ll-dehydro-17-hydroxycorllcoslerone (El, ll-desoxy-l? hydroxycorlicoslerone (S).

72y Bond E-Golumn Chromologrom $0 Band JI-Column Chromo'togrum 837 Bond III-Column Ghromulogrum fig. 4

Toluene- Propylene Glycol 18 Sheets-Sheet 3 -Poperchrogrom PM 58 Example l.

l8 hours 85y Bond EEK-Column Chromulogrom PM 58.

. $57 Band EEK-Column Chromulogrum PM 58. 72 Bond IE-Column Chromclogrom PM 58.

. 20 each I7-hydroxycorlicosler0ne (F),

ll-dehydro-l7-hydroxycorricoslerone (E), ll-desoxy-l7-hydroxycorlicoslerone (S).

7 fig. 5

IN VEN TORS WILLIAM J. HAINES QONALD R. COLINGSWORTH ATTORNEY Aug. 18, 1953 w. J. HAINES ETAL STEROID OXIDATION l8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 16, 1950 m t T20 z. ozmncwmm 000m 002 P P w mc 00mm ooon oovm 00mm OOON OOm I T20 Z 02w0mmm E22 6. 5 nmzhw Noudaosav maoaaa NOLLdHOSGV INHOHBd INVENTORS WILL/AM J. HA/NES BIZONALD R. COLINGSWORTH A TTORNE Y 1953 w. J. HAINES ETAL 2,649,401

STEROID OXIDATION Filed Sept. 16, 1950 18 SheetsSheet 5 Poperchromologrom PM 58 Pop erchromcfogrom PM 58 Example I Example l Toluene-Propylene Glycol I20 hours Toluene- Propylene Glycol l8 hours A. 40y'MPF-| (l89-CEDN-l). A. 20 l7-hydroxycorlicoslerone,lO 278- 20y l7-hydroxycorlicoslerone (F). A-MPB-3. B. 40 MPF-l (l89-C-EDN-l). B. I0 278-A-MPB-3. C. 207 l7-hydroxycorlicos'rerone (F). C. lOy 278-A-MPB-3 D. 20 lT-hydroxycorficosterone (F).

A B c A B C 0 fig. 9

7 INVENTORS WILLIAM J. HA/NES mQONALD R. COL/NGSWORTH Aug. 18, 1953 W. J. HAlNES ETAL STEROID OXIDATION Filed Sept. 16, 1950 Toluene- Ethylene Glycol Poperchromorogrom PM 34 Example 2 6 hours 30y Band 1 Column Chromorogrom PM 34. 307 Bond 11 Column Chromorogrom PM 34. 257 Bond Ill Column Chromologrom PM 34. 457 Band II Column Chromologrom PM 34. 20 Corlicosrerone (B). 207 each lT-hydroxycorticoslerone (F), ll-dehydro-IY- hydroxycorllcosr terone (E), ll-desoxy-lY-hydroxycorlicosferone (S).

A B C D E F Toluene-Ethylene Glycol 18 Sheets-Sheet 6 Poperchromologrom PM 34 Example 2 7/ hours I65 Slreplomyces frodiue, Strain 3535 Fermenrulion of ll-desoxy-l7- hydroxycorlicos'rerone (S). 20 each l7- hydroxycorlicosterone (F), corlicoslerone.

m INVENTORS WILLIAM J. HA/NES BeONALD R. c /N s ORTH ATTORNEY Aug. 18, 1953 w. J. HAINES ETAL STEROID OXIDATION 18 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed Sept. 16, 1950 Q 3 ON 5 mm mu 5 H E H a Q 35m 2 2 m 0 2 ne. 0 Om 6m m 6v M m. 0 on w w 2 ow m v A m w 1 0 ON" W om om 09 $3630 INVENTORS WILLIAM J. HAINES BQONALD R; COLINGSWORTH 1953 w. J. HAINES ETAL 2,649,401

STEROID OXIDATION Filed Sept. 16, 1950 18 Sheets-Sheet 8 Paperchromatogram PM 55 Paperchromatogram PM 34 Example 3 Example 2 Toluene-Propylene Glycol I6 hours Toluene-Ethylene Glycot I7 hours A. 45 Streptomyces a (H-39) A. 23 Band IL Column Chromatogram Fermentation of ll-desoxy-l7hydroxy- P 34 corticosterone (8) pH adjusted to I B. 207 each I7-hydroxycorticosterone(F),

prior to extraction. |l-dehydro-l7-hydroxycorticosterone(E) B. 347 Streptomyces (H-39) Fermentation of ll-desoxy-l7hydroxy corticosterone (S).

C. 20 each l7-hydroxycorticosterone (F), ll-dehydro-IT- hydroxycorticosterone (E), ll-desoxy-t7- hydroxycorticosterone (8).

fig. /3

IN VEN TORS WILLIAM J. HAINES TTOR NE Y g- 1953 w. J. HAINES ETAL 2,649,401

' STEROID OXIDATION Filed Sept. 16, 1950 18 Sheets-Sheet 1O Poperchromutogrum PM 54 Poperchromotogrom PM 54 Example 4 Example 4 Toluene-Propylene Glycol 3 hours Toluene-Propylene Glycol l8 hours A. 69y Between Bonds 11 and ID. A. 20 each IY-hydroxycorticosterone(F),

Column Chromotogrom PM 54. ll-desoxy-I7-hydroxycorticosterone(S); B. 47 Bond II'Golumn Ohromotogrom B. Not pertinent to this example.

PM 54. C. 94y Band I Column Chromotogrum G. 40y Streptomyces frodiue, Strain PM 54. 3535 fermentation of Il-desoxy- D. 207 each ll-dehydro-l7- hydroxycorti- I7-hydroxycorticosterone (S).

costerone (E), II-desoxycorticoster- INVENTORS WILLIAM J. HAINES DONALD R. COL/NGSWORTH f/g. 7 BY A TTORNEY Aug. 18, 1953 w. J. HAINES ET AL 2,649,401

STEROID OXIDATION Filed Sept. 16, 1950 18 Sheets-Sheet ll Poperchromologrom PM 54 Poperchromo'logrom PM 54 Example 4 Example 4 Toluene-Propylene Glycol 8 hours Toluene-Propylene Glycol 24 hours A. lOO Band 1 Column Chromcllogrom A. lOO Bond IE Column Chromulogrom PM PM 54.

B. lOOy Bond 11 Column Chromologrclm B. lOOy Between Bonds I and IL Column PM 54. Chromo'rogrclm PM 54.

C. lOOy Bond 111 Column Chromologrom C. IOOy Band I Column Chromologrom PM 54. PM 54 207 l7-hydroxycorricos'lerone (F). 20y eoch,l7-hydroxycorflcoslerone (F),

D.{50y ll-desoxy-l7- hydroxycorlicosrer- D ll-dehydro-lT-h droxycorlicoslerone(E). one (S). O)yll-desoxy-l hydroxycorlicoslerone fig. /9

INVENTORS WILLIAM Jv HAINES mL DONALD R COLINGSWORTH Aug. 18, 1953 Filed Sept. 16, 1950 Toluene-Propylene Glycol A.

w. J. HAlNES ET AL 2,649,401

STEROID OXIDATION l8 Sheets-Sheet l2 Paperchromatogram PM 6| Example 5 Paperchromalogram PM 54 Example 4 Toluene-Propylene Glycol 24 hours A. lOOy Band E11 Column (Jhromafogram PM 54. lOOy Band III Column Chromalogram PM 54.

I7 hours 20y each, I7-hydroxycorlicosler0ne (F),

l|dehydrol7-hydroxycorricoslerone (E), lldesoxy-l7-hydroxycorticosrerone B.

Not perrinenf to this example. C. 57 Streplomyces fradiae, strain 3535 fermentation of ll-desoxy-I7-hydroxycorllcosrerone (S). D Same as 6 above. Not pertinent to this example.

20 each l7-hydroxycorlicoslerone (F), |l-dehydro-l7-hydroxycorricoslerone (E), corficoslerone (B).

AQBCDEF lOO Band IL Column Chroma'rogram PM 54.

207 I7-hydroxycorlicosferone (F), lldehydro-l7- hydroxycorficoslerone (E). 507 l ldesoxy -l7hydroxycorticosferone (S).

INVENTORS WILLIAM J. HA/NES DONALD R. COLIN WORTH BY MTOR NE Y fig. 2/

1953 w. J. HAINES ET AL 2,649,401

STEROID OXIDATION Filed Sept. 16, 1950 18 Sheets-Sheet l5 Paperchromatogram PM 32 Paperchromatogram PM 32 Example 7 Example 7 Toluene-Propylene Glycol 6 hours Toluene-Ethylene Glycol 7 hours A, 72 Streptomyces fradiae, strain 3535 A. 367 Band 11 Column Chromatogram Fermentation of ll-desoxycorticoster- PM 32. one(Q) B Not pertinent to this example.

B, 207each corticosterone (B), ll-desoxy- C: 207 each IY-hydroxycorticosterone(F), corticosterone (Q). lI-desoxy-lT-hydroxycorticosterone (S).

A B C 22 INVENTORS WILLIAM J HA/NES eon/AID R. COL/ GSWORTH A TTOR NE Y g- 3 w. .1. HAINES ET AL 2,649,401

STEROID OXIDATION Filed Sept. 16, 1950 18 Sheets-Sheet l6 Poperchromo'logrum PM 32 Poperchromologrom PM 32 Example 7 Example 7 Toluene-Propylene Glycol l2 hours Toluene-Ethylene Glycol l6 hours A {50y MPS-l(|92-C-MPB3). A. 20 each Band I Column Chromato- 40y corlicosterone (B). gram PM 32,l7'hydroxycorticos'rerone B. 507 MPS-l(|92C-MPB-3). (F)

C, 50y ll-desoxy-l'l-hydroxycorficos'rer- Bl ZOyBond 1 Column Chromcllogrcm one (8). PM 32. 407 corlicoslerone (B). $27 Band I1 Column Chromologrum D. 207 ll-dehydro-lT-hydroxycorlicosler- 0. PM 32. I

one (E). 20ylT-hydroxycorllcoslerone (F).

D. 327Bond I1 Column Chromo'togrom A B D PM 32.

E. 2O7eoch l7-hydroxycorrlcos1erone (F), ll-dehydrol7-hydroxycorficoslerone (E).

ABCDE INVENTORS WILLIAM J. HAINES DONALD R. COLINGSWORTH ATTORNEY Aug. 18, 1953 w. J. HAINES ETAL 2,649,401

STEROID OXIDATION Filed Sept. 16, 1950 18 Sheets-Sheet l7 Paoarchromaiogram PM 3| Paperchromatogram PM 35 Example l6 Example l5 Toluene-Propylene Glycol 6 hours Toluene-Propylene Glycol. l6 hours A. 99 Streptomyces (BC-I7) A. 757Penicillium chrysogenum,Wisconsin Fermentation of Il-desoxycorflcos'rerone strain 4870l fermentation of II- (Q). desoxycorficosterone (Q). B. Not perrinem to this example. B. Not pertinent to This example. 0. C. 20 each 17-hydroxycorticosterone (F) D. II H II I!-dehydro|7-hydroxycorflcosrerone(E5, E. lldesoxyIT-hydroxycorricosrerone(S). F. 207 each, corticosrerone (B), Il-desoxycorticosrerone (0) ABC 9- INVENTORS WILLIAM J. HA/NES BDYONALD R. COLINGSWORTH ATTORNEY Aug, 1, 1953 w. .1. HAINES ETAL 2,649,401

STEROID OXIDATION Filed Sept. 16, 1950 18 Sheets-Sheet l8 Puperchromorogrom PM 38 Poperchromotogrom PM 38 Example 17 Example I? Toluene-Propylene Glycol 4 hours Toluene-Propylene Glycol I8 hours A. 2O Aspergi||us fumigotus. A. ZOyAspergiHus fumigmus.

Fermentation of ll-deoxycorticosterone Fermentation of Il-desoxycorticosterone (Q). (Q).

B. 2O7eoch corticosterone (B), ll-desoxy- B. Nor pertinent to This example.

corticosterone (B). C. 207each l7-hydroxycorricosterone (F),

I|dehydro-l7-hydroxycorticosterone(E),

A B cor'ricosrerone(B).

' A B c INVENTORS WILLIAM J. HAINES DONALD R. COLINGSWORTH BY M MNEY many valuable steroid compoundsand which in Patented Aug. 18, 1953 OX DATI N William .J. Haines and Donald R. Colingsworth, Kalamazoo, Mich assignors to The Upjohn Company, Kalamazoo, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Application September 16, 1950, Serial No. 185,246 20 Claims. (01. 195-51) The present invention relates to a novel method for the introduction of oxygen into a steroid molecule, and to certain novel products produced by the method of the invention.

It is already known to introduce oxygen into the eleven position of a steroid molecule, but such result has been accomplished only through highly technical organic syntheses involving a considerable number of steps. Consequently, the overall yield of eleven oxygenated steroid has been much less than desired, and the cost of such production extremely high, ii not prohibitive. This has been an insuperable handicap in the attempt of pharmaceutical chemists to make certain eleven oxygenated steroids available to members of the general public suffering from various maladies, which are presently known to be beneficially affected only by certain eleven oxygenated steroids, since the high production cost and inadequate supply of these important drugs has prevented their dissemination and availability on a large or general scale. Among these drugs, which have an eleven oxygenated steroid structure, may, for example, be mentioned corticosterone, 11-dehydrocorticosterone, ll-dehydro 17 hydroxycorticosterone (compound E, cortisone), and i'I-hydroxycorticosterone (compound F). It is, therefore, of considerable irnportance to find a more satisfactory method of producing oxygenated steroid compounds, especially eleven oxygenated steroid compounds, containing in the eleven position either the keto (x0) group (=0), as the eleven oxygen appears in various of the desirable drugs, or the hydroxy (oxy) group (OH), which is itself present in addition is readilyconvertibleto the ketogroup by known oxidation procedures. -To this end, untold sums of money and hoursof efiort have been expended, without any marked measure of success up to the present time.

It is an object of the'present invention to-provide a novel method for the introductionofoxygen into a steroid molecule, .especially into :the eleven position of a steroid molecule. Another object is the provision .of such methodwhereby an eleven desoxy steroid .(the term .elevendesoxy steroid is employed throughout .to indicate a steroid which contains no oxy en in the eleven position) is convertedin high yields toaneleven xy t steroid by the acti no a bacter um of the genus Streptomyces or oxidizing ,bact rial enzymes obtainable therefrom. An addit onal object of the invention is the provision of a p s or the productio o e enzqxyeenaied 2 on e siq is .el fierte b the a tion o a ba te ium of the genus .Strepton ces .Q .QZi iZing enzymes thereqf- Anoth r ob c o he inv t o i he provision of a process for the introduction of a betaehydroxy group into the eleven position of an eleven desoxy steroid through the action of a bacterium of the genus Streptomyces. Still another object of the invention is the provision of novel products, produced by the method of the present invention, and of unique utility as and in the preparation of valuable eleven oxygenated steroid drugs. Other and more particular objects of the invention will ,become apparent hereinafter.

It has now been found that eleven desoxy sterieds, which contain the cyclopentanopolyhydrophenanthrene nucleus especially the 10,13-dimethylcyclopentanopolyhydrophenanthrenes, can be readily converted in high yields to corresponding oxygenated steroids by subjecting the steroid compound to the action of a bacterium of the genus Streptomyces, or the oxidizing bacterial enzymes produced thereby. By the method of the present invention invention, an efficient, economical, and commercially satisfactory method of introducing oxygen into the eleven position of an eleven desoxy steroid molecule is provided. Accordingly, a novel and simple approach to the production of eleven oxygenated steroid drugs is afforded, which is, as previously stated, of greatimportance-to the chemical, pharmaceutical, and medical profession, and especially -to members of the general public suffering from physiological abnormalities known to -be beneficially affected only by such eleven oxygenated steroid drugs.

The method of the present invention, in its broader aspects, consists in subjecting an eleven dcsoxysteroidto the action of anoxidizing-bacterium of the genus Streptomyces, or oxidizing enzymes of the bacterium, which are capable of introducing an oxygen atom into the steroid nucleus at the eleven position. Another way of expressingthe result of the processof the pres,- ent invention isrto saythat the steroid is foxygenatedf since an oxygen atom is introduced 'thereto. Still otherwise expressed, the eleven position, of thesteroidmay be saidltotbe oxidized. Qther positions :of the steroid molecule may, in

isolated cases, also undergo transformationdue to .the action. of ;the bacterium, or, enzymes ;thereof, but such transformations are not ,toflye -reea e a .un i .eb1 s n eintrQduQ Qn o ox gen i t oihe ror n o t ero molequ m -.re ul in yaluabl t erewith Y steroids from eleven desox .steroidswher im e as intermed es io exam le, t os mane I 3 hydroxy group at the 17 or 21 positions. In case such additional groups are not considered desirable, methods are available for the removal of such groups with facility. The important consideration of the present invention, as far as the result is concerned, is that the eleven desoxy steroid molecule is oxygenated at least in the eleven position, where previously the steroid molecule was unoxygenated in the eleven position.

Hydroxy groups, which are themselves capable of oxidation to keto groups, when present in the molecule of a steroid to be oxygenated in the eleven position, may, if considered necessary, as where exceedingly high yields of eleven oxygenated hydroxysteroid product are sought to be produced, be protected from attack of various types, including attack by the oxidizing bacteriaor oxidizing bacterial'enzymes, by conversion, as

eleven position, or, otherwise stated, be an eleven desoxy steroid. Such compounds contain the nucleus which may in addition contain substituents or combinations of substituents about the nucleus, as in the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 positions, especially 10,13-dirnethyl groups, 3, 7, or 12 keto, hydroxy, or acyloxy groups; 17-side chains of which the progesterone and corticosterone (Ketol) side chains deserve special mention; a 1'7 keto group; a 17 hydroxy group, and the like; as well as double bonds in the 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9(11), 11(12), 16(17) and other positions, or combination of positions, about the nucleus; or double bonds saturated by addition thereto of halogen or hydrogen halide; adducts of dienophiles such as maleic acid, maleic anhydride, or maleic acid esters with steroids having a conjugated double bond system, as at 5,7; and other substituents and combinations of substituents, double bonds and so forth too numerous for special mention, a great many of which are known in the steroid art.

Representative steroids which may be oxygenated by the method of the invention include, for example, progesterone, 9,11 or 11,12-dehydroprogesterone, 7,9 (11) -bisdehydroprogesterone, 17- hydroxyprogesterone, pregnenolone, acyloxypregnenolones such as pregnenolone acetate, 11- desoxycorticosterone, delta 9,11 or 11,12-desoxycorticosterone, 1l-desoxy-17-hydroxycorticosterone and acyloxy derivatives, such as the acetoxy derivative, thereof, 2l-hydroxypregnenolone and 21-acyl, e. g., acetyl, esters thereof, 17,2l-dihydroxypregnenolone and 17,2l-diacyloxy derivatives thereof, e. g., the diacetoxy derivative, androstendione, androstan-17-ol, 9,11 or 11,12-dehydroandrostendione, 3-hyclroxy-delta 9,11 or 11,12-pregnen--ones, 3,2l-dihydroxy-delta 9,11

or 11,12-pregnen-20-ones, 3,17,21-trihydroxydelta 9,11 or 11,12-pregnen-20-ones, 5-androsten- 3-ol-1'7-one and 3-acyl, e. g., acetyl, esters thereof, 5-androsten-3-ol-17-one and 3-acyl, e. g, acetyl, esters thereof; ergosterol, stigmasterol, stigmastanol, and 3-acyl, e. vg., acetyl, esters of the foregoing; ergostenone, stigmastenone, stigmastanone, cholestenone, cholic acid, desoxycholic acid, lithooholic acid, cholanic acid, norcholanic acid, bisnorcholanic acid, cholenic acid, norcholenic acid, bisnorcholenic acid, and 3-hy droxy-, 3-keto, 3,7-dihydroxy-3,7-diketo-, 3,7,12 trihydroxy 3,7,12-triketo, 9,11 or 11,12-unsaturated, ester, thiolester, and further derivatives of the foregoing acids, and the like.

The microorganic biochemical oxygenation is carried out with the employment of an oxidizing bacterium, which is a species of the Streptomyces genus, or oxidizing enzymes obtainable therefrom. Species of this genus which are operative in the method of the invention include, for example, the species fradiae, endus, I-I-39, K-93, BC-l7, W-, albus, coeZicoZor, veme, calz'fornicus, fiaoeolus, bobilz'ae, roseochromoyenus, griseolus, erythreus, cellulosae, parvus, malencom', diastaticus, fimicarius, fia'uovirens, olivochromogenus, diastatochromoge'nes, flavochromogenes, antibioticus, viridochromogenes, purpeo'chromogenus, phaeochromogenus, aureus, erythrochromogenes, lavendulae, reticuli, rubrireticuli, flcwas, Tuber, citreus, j'uloz'ssimus, aureofaciens, rimosus, gougerotz', oiolaceoniger, grz'seus, griseoflavus, albidoflavus, poolensis, olivaceus, Zieskei, microfla'uus, cacao i, novaecaesareae, exfoliatus, gelaticus, rutgersensz's, Zzpmaii, halstedii, hygroscopicus, alboflavus, albasporeus, flocculus, melanosporeus, melanocyclus, acz'clophilus, rubescens, thermophilus, thermofuscus, scabies, ipomea, fordz'i, africanus, gallicus, pelletz'eri, listen, upcottii, hortonensz's, gibsom'i, beddardii, Icimberi, somaliens is, panaae, willmorei. While species of the Streptomyces genus are broadly operative in the method of the present invention as the oxidizing microorganism, for reasons of economy and productivity the species fradiae and I-I-39 are preferably utilized for production of optimum yields of desired eleven oxygenated steroid, although in certain cases and under particular circumstances other species may be most advantageously employed. Species of the Streptomcyces genus are possessive of an abundance of the enzyme mechanism, whereby they are able, according to the method of the invention, when suitably grown and contacted with an eleven desoxysteroid, to accomplish oxygenation of the eleven position of the steroid on an industrially important scale.

The microorganisms can be obtained from known sources, such as the Northern Regional Research Laboratories, Peoria, Illinois, or American Type Culture Collection, Washington, D. C. Alternatively, natural sources known to microbiologists may be exploited.

The usual techniques of the microbiologist are followed in isolation of the microorganisms from natural sources. Sterile media are prepared from various carbohydrate and nitrogenous sources, solidified to a gel by the addition of two percent agar. The nitrogen source may vary widely, and may for example include inorganic nitrates, ammonium salts, or protein digests. The media may be sterilized by, steam pressure or autoclaving in cotton-stoppered flasks or tubes, and used aseptically to fill Petri dishes, which may be exposed to dust, outside air, soil, soil dilutions, and the like. From these plates develop bacterial growths, 

19. A PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF AN OXYGENATED STEROID COMPRISING THE STEPS OF AEROBICALLY GROWING A CULTURE OF AN OXYGENATING STRAIN OF AN ORGANISM OF THE STREPTOMYCES GENUS, AND EXPOSING A STEROID TO THE OXYGENATING ACTIVITY OF ENZYMES PRODUCED BY THE SAID CULTURE. 